Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez insist mouth-watering fourth encounter will end in knock out

Boxing's intriguing eight-and-a-half-year duel enters its fourth chapter on
Saturday when Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao and Mexican warrior Juan Manuel
Marquez meet in what both insist will be the last, and definitive, fight.
Las Vegas is divided in debate.

The rivals, who have met at featherweight, superfeatherweight and welterweight, insist they will knock each other out to prove, conclusively, who the superior fighter is, in a much-anticipated clash at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Both have had long and decorated careers. Pacquiao is a multiple-weight world champion, with a record of 54-4-2. His aspirations within two years lie not in the ring, but in politics.

Marquez, similarly, has a career record of 54-6-1. They have risen through the ranks together, drawing swords at critical junctures in their respective boxing lives. They have divided fans across the sport.

History - but not necessarily fans and boxing pundits - favoured Pacquiao in the previous three fights. They have all gone the 12 round distance and, despite a draw in their initial encounter in 2004, and with Pacquiao winning closely-contested points decisions in the other two, the outcome has been the subject of deep conjecture and debate.

Controversy has dogged the outcome of every contest. Though Pacquiao has won two, with one drawn, there are experts who are adamant that Marquez, a skilled boxer and counter-puncher, won all three meetings.

Styles make fights and, in the judges’ eyes, Pacquiao's bustling, aggressive style has seen him win out. From ringside at their third contest, I scored the bout a draw.

Marquez is adamant that this time round he has the tools to stop it going to the scorecards.

"A lot of people know what happened in the last three fights but I’ve prepared myself very hard because I want to give another great show. After this fight it might be the end of the chapters," he said.

"I’m trying to look for the knockout. Pacquiao said he wants to knock me out but I want to knock him out. Manny is a strong fighter, he’s maybe the toughest I’ve fought. But I’m ready for this fight. I’ve trained very hard and I’m in great condition for the 12 rounds.

"This is the most interesting fight. I know I need to change something because he knows me - I need a perfect performance."

The Filipino star, regarded alongside Floyd Mayweather Jnr as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, counter-claims that he will be the aggressor and will dominate.

"We changed a little bit of our strategy for this fight. We studied his style and we’re ready for him," said the Filipino, who is idolised in his homeland.

"He knows how I like to fight, which is getting in and out, so I will be trying to counter-punch more.

"My focus is on more aggression and, if I have the chance to finish the fight early, I will grab it. Marquez never accepted that he lost the last three fights so it’s up to me to show him in this one."

Pacquiao v Marquez is live on Primetime for £14.95 this Sunday morning at 2am. To order visit www.primetimelive.co.uk or call 0871 200 4444.